Headlines

Switzerland vs. Czech Republic

Goalie Dominik Hasek emerged as the Czech Republic's biggest star during its gold medal run in 1998. This time, however, the Czechs might have to find another leader to count on.

The Czech Republic will be without Hasek when it faces Switzerland in a preliminary-round matchup on Thursday.

Hasek left the Czech Republic's 4-1 win over Germany Wednesday in the first period with an injured left hamstring. He will undergo an MRI exam Thursday to determine whether the hamstring is torn and whether he can play again in these games.

Olympic teams play five contests in eight days during pool play and can potentially have another three if they advance past the preliminary round. The Czechs have Friday off before playing again on Saturday and Sunday.

"We'll see how it is in the next few days," said Hasek, who has had a history of groin problems. "I'd like to be back on the ice. My goal is to play again, but if I don't feel like I am helping the team, I won't."

Hasek, who led the Detroit Red Wings to the 2002 Stanley Cup, has won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL's top goalie six times and the Hart Trophy as the league's MVP twice. He guided the Czechs to a semifinal win over Canada in the 1998 games before beating Russia 1-0 in the gold-medal game.

"A goalkeeper has to be ready all the time," said Vokoun, who has won 28 games for the Nashville Predators this season. "You take your rest because you just never know."

Defenseman Tomas Kaberle scored twice in the second period, and NHL scoring leader Jaromir Jagr was credited with a goal that bounced into the net off a German defenseman. Vokoun assisted on Kaberle's first goal.

"It's always tough when someone gets hurt, but we hope he will be fine," said Kaberle, who has scored just six goals this season for the Toronto Maple Leafs. "But we're comfortable with both of them."

David Vyborny added an empty-net goal for the Czechs, who went into the second period trailing 1-0.

"They played really well in the first period," Jagr said. "But it was difficult for us. We haven't even had one practice together, and it takes time. We were tired. It's not as easy as you think. We play 60 games in one style and ice size and then we come here and have to change so much."

Switzerland lost its first game of the tournament Wednesday, falling 5-0 to Finland. Goalie Martin Gerber, who has won 28 games for the Carolina Hurricanes this season, gave up all five goals and was pulled before the start of the third period.

"Gerber did not come out because of the score," Swiss coach Ralph Krueger said. "We just wanted to bring both goalies into the tournament."

Colorado's David Aebischer stopped all 13 shots he faced in the final period for Switzerland.

"We could do better. We're just going to try to build off our last period, where we improved," Swiss forward Paul DiPietro said. "We've got to play disciplined (Thursday) and skate and stay out of the box, and you never know what could happen."